Current Address

Sister Jorden Elizabeth JacksonPhilippines Baguio Mission

PO Box 115

National Highway

Brgy. Lingsat

San Fernando, La Union

2500,PHILIPPINES

Monday, September 8, 2014

Understanding is Key

As Sister Campos and I are
trying to focus on improving our teaching skills this week, I really noticed
how important it is for people to understand the message. If they don’t
understand, what’s the point? It’s so important that we as missionaries teach
in a way that people will understand.

Nanay A – a cute less active
lady in our area – was really impacted by our lesson this week about pre-mortal
life. Poor lady, so many of her kids have died tragically. One died of cancer,
one was hit by a car, one committed suicide. Another one died too – I forget
how. A member told us that’s why she stopped coming to church – she blames God
for all the tragic deaths of her children. She is such a kind grandma though –
I love teaching her. She used to not even let us in so we have made LOTS of
progress. Anyway, when we were teaching Nanay A about pre-earth life she was
amazed! She kept saying, “Wow! I didn't know we lived with God before we came
to earth!” and “He gave us a plan? Wow!” “We are His spirit children?” It was
so refreshing to teach someone who actually really understood what we were talking about.

Sister Campos and I did a lot
of tracting this week. One house we were let in right away. We were super
surprised! Then the owners saw our name tags and said, “Wait. What religion are
you?” They thought we were Jehovah’s Witnesses, that’s why they let us in! :) Well, we still shared a short message about prophets
and told them God continues to call prophets today. We thought they understood
our message…turns out they didn't really because in her closing prayer the gal
said, “Thanks for sending these 3 prophets to our home.” (We were working with
Mimi.) “Please guide these three prophets…Strengthen these prophets.” I opened
my eyes in surprise when she first mentioned prophets. So did Mimi. We made eye
contact. Then I totally lost it and had that awful inappropriate laugh the
rest of the prayer. I’m such a bad missionary!

Understanding is also
important for missionaries. Sister Campos and I had a pretty awful week. It
felt like all those breakthroughs I wrote about last week just plummeted. I
totally jinxed everything. Anyway, one night we went out to MacDo for dinner
because we both felt like only ice cream and cheeseburgers could cheer us up.
We both sat down and waited in silence for a few seconds, then said at the same
time, “I just wanna cry!”

I need to remember I don’t
understand everything right now. But everything that is happening is for a
reason – even if the reason is so I can learn to adapt healthy stress-coping
habits. I shouldn't be eating at MacDo everyday! It’s ok, things will be better
in the end. Since it’s not better now it must not be the end yet. :)

Fun outing with Mimi. She was here In Baguio City for school, and is now home preparing for her mission. She wants to come back to visit before I get transferred. She will be a great missionary!

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About Me

I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and couldn’t be happier. I feel honored and blessed with the opportunity to serve the people in the Philippines Baguio mission. I love the Lord and His Gospel. It has been such a blessing in my life, I can’t wait to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others! Find out more about my church at lds.org and mormon.org